The Week That Changed The World Devotional February 28

MARK 11:29-33 | ²⁹ Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. ³⁰ Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” ³¹ They argued with one another, “What should we say? If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ³² But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. ³³ So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Jesus agreed to answer on one condition: only if the leaders would take a public position on the ministry of His cousin, John the Baptist. Was John’s baptism the legitimate work of a genuine   prophet or was he a false figure? Now this was partly a brilliant    tactic by Jesus. It created instant trouble for His questioners, whose consternation led to embarrassing caution. These official leaders must admit to ignorance—they don’t know! If they were to judge him false, his many fans among the people would be upset. If they authenticated him now, why did they not support and follow him during his ministry (which they had carefully observed, even though it was out in the desert)? Jesus, by the way, did fearlessly and publicly support John even when His cousin fell out of favor with Herod and was imprisoned and executed.

Jesus turns the tables on His skeptical questioners but do you see another layer to this tactic?

Gracious God,

Help me to be a loyal friend even when times are tough or friendship requires sacrifice.

Amen.